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WHAT TEST IS DONE TO DETERMINE EAGLE SYNDROME

IS A FEES TEST (FIBEROPTIC ENDOSCOPIC EVALUATION OF SWALLOWING) THE BEST TEST TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE EAGLE SYNDROME OR NOT.  
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1070914 tn?1282077344
Hi,

I believe there is reason to believe that this is what I have, and a number of doctors agree with me. But so far it proves hard to find a doctor who meets these criteria:

- is knowledgeable on the subject (also latest literature, which give wider indications than earlier literature only quoting dr Eagle)
- is experienced in treating it (since it is so rare, in most cases such a doctor must be at least over 50 years old to possibly be experienced with this.)
- has the right scans etc. at his disposal (recently a scan clearly showing the elongated styloid processes was rejected in one hospital because of wrong standard (Kodak vs Agfa, so he couldn't view it...)) New CT-scan made, but not as good as the first one and doesn't show them, so that doctor now feels there isn't sufficient visual material to support this diagnosis. etc. etc.

So, the latest on my situation is:

- my history and symptoms seem to point in the direction of ES.

- palpation not possible, because styloids are about 4 cm, while palpation only possible when at least 6 cm (but many doctors don't know that, so potentially misdiagnose just for that reason).

- 3D CT-reconstruction shows this:
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7113/styloid001.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7784/styloid002.jpg

- infiltration test worked.

And although a number of ENTs say that this may (very well) be the reason, so far none of them (at this point 3) has suggested surgical removal of the elongated styloids. If indeed this turns out to be Eagle's, it is *not easy* to get it diagnosed and treated... The surgeons are cautious (of course, every good doctor is), but I am in daily pain (and a lot of it) and hope to find a solution soon.

To be continued. I'll post my progress here.
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110164 tn?1223418414
Did you get the any of these test done?
I am curious to hear the latest on your situation.


I been to have something going on with my left side which i believe is Eagles.
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1070914 tn?1282077344
From literature:

The diagnosis of Eagle’s syndrome is based on four different parameters:

(1) clinical manifestations
(2) digital palpation of the process in the tonsillar fossa
(3) radiological findings and
(4) lidocaine infiltration test. During the lidocaine infiltration test, lidocaine anesthetic is administered to the area where the styloid process is palpable in the tonsillar fossa. If the patient’s symptoms and local sensitivity subside the test result is considered positive and Eagle’s syndrome is diagnosed

A patient exhibiting the symptoms associated with Eagle’s syndrome, may consult their family physician or an otolaryngologist, a neurologist, a surgeon (neurosurgeon, maxillofacial or oral surgeon), a dentist or even a psychiatrist in order to be diagnosed. Persistent pain and other symptoms could aggravate the psychological state of a patient. By the time the syndrome is actually diagnosed, many patients have already visited some of these doctors, who have unsuccessfully tried to treat their symptoms. This is quite understandable considering that the clinical manifestations of Eagle’s syndrome resemble those of many other diseases. Consequently, it is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis based solely on clinical manifestations. However, it is very important for physicians and dentists to include Eagle’s syndrome in their differential diagnosis when treating patients experiencing pain in the cervicofacial and cervicopharyngeal regions.

A 3D-CT scan is considered the gold standard in the radiological diagnosis of Eagle's Syndrome. It provides an accurate measurement of the length and angulation of the styloid process and is considered to be the best supplement to the plain x-ray.


It is important to note that an elongated styloid process does not necessarily signify Eagle’s syndrome, as the majority of individuals exhibiting this anatomical anomaly experience no symptoms. Additionally, although an elongated process is found bilaterally in most cases, patients typically display unilateral symptoms. Also it is noteworthy that the occurrence of the syndrome correlates with the length of the styloid process, its width and its angulation. In fact a number of mechanisms can result in the onset of the syndrome and are responsible for the variety of symptoms. Consequently, patients may experience any number of symptoms, which often mislead physicians and necessitate the use of other data such as radiological findings to confirm the diagnosis. Both physicians (head and neck, oral and maxillofacial surgeons) and dentists must have a high index of suspicion for this clinical entity. Eagle’s syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervicofacial and pharyngeal pain. The fact that it is often excluded in such cases results in underdiagnosis and, consequently, an underestimation of the incidence of this syndrome.
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Avatar universal
cranial CT scan with 3D reconstruction
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Avatar universal
Ironically mine was discovered during the removal of my submandibular gland. They removed the calcified ligamnet. It was something that never showed on a MRI , ct scan, or ultrasound. They did say that could of been the source of my neck pain. From what I have read not many doctors know much about this. What symptoms are you having?
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